by Lynn Wolfe
The next bill was from a shop called Baxter’s. He smiled when he saw yet another ball gown purchased. Women! The last bill he held in his hand took him by surprise and his heart sank as he saw it was from Miss Minnie’s Dress Emporium. Anna and Susannah had been so secretive about where they’d shopped he had no idea they had found the one shop he had prayed they wouldn’t enter.
He recognized the hand writing was Mary’s. Thomas could only imagine how difficult their visit must have been. Since neither Anna nor Susannah had mentioned meeting her, he knew Mary had remained unknown to them.
Thomas began to tear up as he saw it was not a bill, but a note.
Thomas, to my surprise, I met Anna. I found her quite charming and extremely beautiful. I doubt that you could have found anyone better to spend your life with. I’m truly happy for you.
She came into the shop looking for a wedding gown. I knew I had the perfect one. You’ll find her looking like an angel this Friday. As I’m sure you’ve already surmised the gown was to have been worn by another. Since that‘s no longer possible, I’m giving you this wedding dress as my gift. If circumstances were different, I would have loved to have attended your wedding, but we both know that’s not possible.
I shall arrive in America someday in the future. At a point when I’m ready, I’ll contact you. In the mean time, I wish you happiness. I truly love you; I just need time to forgive you, Mary.
“Thomas, I see you’ve received the bills for my purchases. Are you so upset you cannot even answer me? Maybe Susannah and I shouldn’t have stopped back to Baxter’s or The Curtis Dress Shop. But once I found my wedding dress, I wanted to pick up a couple other ball gowns. I didn’t think you’d mind.”
Thomas wondered how long Anna had been standing by him. “No, of course not, Anna, why would you ask such a foolish question?” Thomas said smiling and quickly placed the bills in his pocket hoping she’d not seen the note from Mary.
“You hadn’t heard me speaking to you and I had to repeat myself, and from the look on your face, I feared what you thought of my spending. I have to be honest; I never asked what the cost was for the wedding dress. I’m sure the dress was far more than you’d expected. I’m sorry. I fell in love with the dress and it hadn’t occurred to me how expensive it might be.”
“The price was perfect and I can’t wait to see you wearing it tomorrow. I’m sure the dress will meet all my expectations and more,” Thomas said as he kissed her on the nose.
“I hope so, Thomas, I think the dress is the most beautiful wedding gown ever made.”
Thomas knew he needed to smile and appear relaxed. He, too, was sure of the quality of the dress. He knew how much effort and love Mary would have put into making her wedding gown. He only prayed when seeing the dress on Anna, he would be seeing her face.
His wedding day was going to be very difficult. How could he handle being so happy and sad at the same time? Thomas knew for each moment of the day on Friday he would be elated in making Anna his bride and celebrating his marriage, he knew his sister would be left broken hearted and in misery. Mary’s sadness would continue for a very long time, maybe years.
Life was unfair. Thomas knew he had to claim his part of the blame for Mary’s unhappiness. He could have suggested to James to seek further information before convicting Mary of such a hideous deed. But no, he was duped by the letter, also. He blamed her immediately without giving any thought to her character. When would this guilt go away?
“Thomas, once again you seem to be somewhere else, somewhere distant. Something’s troubling you. I feel it, Thomas. Are you having second thoughts?” Anna hesitantly asked after she again found him unresponsive to her questions.
Thomas reached over and placed his hand on Anna’s cheek. “No, love, there are no second thoughts. I’ve had a lot on my mind. Please forgive me for not giving you the attention you so richly deserve. I’ve been remiss not telling you how beautiful you look this morning. I’ll try harder to keep things in perspective in the future, I promise.”
*****
Friday morning came and Thomas and James got up early so they could arrive at the ship before daylight. They needed to tend to the last minute details. Thomas had managed to have the top deck filled with several baskets of the most colorful flowers available. He’d gotten a special bouquet of flowers for Anna.
James had taken care of having the deck hands in their finest attire and completely scrubbed and shaved, much to their disliking. But once everyone saw how lovely the setting on the ship had turned out, and the excitement shown by Thomas and James, the mood became contagious.
Besides, the crew knew once they set sail, their supper would be special this night. The captain had promised extra ale and James had ordered a wedding cake large enough to feed everyone, as a surprise for Anna and Thomas.
Thomas had a wide grin on his face when he saw the carriage coming to the ship loaded down with their trunks from the hotel and all the purchases made by Anna and Susannah.
“I’m glad we left extra space in the cargo hold, James, for I think we may need it. I hope I calculated the area correctly.”
James laughed. “I’m sure you’ve left enough room for their purchases. Hopefully, they don’t plan on wearing their ball gowns on the ship as we travel home!”
Thomas chuckled and couldn’t help but agree. Anything was possible with those two women.
Chapter Nineteen
There was one last thing James had to do before the women arrived and the wedding take place. He quietly left the ship to make his walk to the bridge where he and Mary had first pledged their love. He didn’t know what drew him there this particular morning. He certainly didn’t want to change anything in his life, for he was very happy with Susannah.
Maybe he had a need to say a final goodbye to the girl who had first stolen his heart. He told no one where he was going.
Once James arrived at the bridge he found himself flooded with memories. He remembered the first time he met Mary at the cottage and teased her about her freckles, the first time they held hands, and the first time they’d kissed. He could still remember how she smelled and the honey fragrance of her dark, curly hair, which sometimes framed her face depending on how she wore it. He smiled remembering how her hands moved ever so quickly as she told her endless stories about growing up with Thomas. He remembered teasing her that he didn’t think she could talk if someone kept hold of her hands and how she had playfully slapped him.
He had loved the way she laughed, and how she listened intently to his dreams. He could still see the concern on her face when he shared his problems about starting his plantation and buying his horses. All these memories were so long ago. He wondered who had stolen her heart. What did the man look like? Was he older? How wealthy was he? How could she have fooled him?
He hoped Mary was happy in the life she chose with a man who offered something more than he had. He wondered if she would ever regret her decision. If she was unhappy, she had no one to blame but herself. James took one more look around the bridge that held such treasured memories. As he turned to go back to the ship, he pledged never to think of Mary again. James left the bridge and never looked back for his future was now with Susannah, the woman who had saved him.
Chapter Twenty
When James returned to the ship he found the captain, crew, and Thomas was anxious to get the wedding started and had been searching for him, since the women had arrived shortly after he left. Once he dressed and confirmed Anna and Susannah were ready, he instructed the captain the ceremony was ready to begin.
As Susannah and Anna made their way to the front of the deck, the only noise one heard was the creaking of the ship, as she gently swayed in the harbor. All eyes were on the two beautiful sisters. Even carrying a child, Susannah Parker looked beautiful. But today, it was all about Anna, and she was breathtaking.
James noticed Thomas could hardly catch his breath as his eyes never left Anna’s as she walked to meet him.
&nbs
p; “You’re truly beautiful,” Thomas whispered as Anna reached his side.
“And you, sir, are very handsome!”
It seemed like no time had passed and the ceremony was over. The captain introduced Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Ball and the crew clapped and carried on before heading to change their clothes. Even some of the people on the docks and the hands working the other ships started cheering as they heard the crew of The Emerald whooping it up. Word had spread all week of the wedding taking place today and it made for a happy event on St. Katherine’s dock.
“Thomas, I plan to stay in my wedding gown for the entire day.” Anna gushed.
“You may wear the dress as long as you wish, with my blessing. You look so pretty, Anna, like a diamond cut to perfection. However, you might want to wear the dress once again when we have our reception at the Parker Plantation.
“Anna, you’ve made me the happiest man alive. I shall try to make every day as special as today, as long as I live.” Thomas said knowing how lucky he was to find such a wonderful woman to share his life.
Thomas knew Anna was thrilled with the way the wedding had turned out and he was anxious to head for home.
*****
Later in the evening, long after Anna had fallen asleep, Thomas came out on deck to think alone, about Mary. He could only now allow himself to visualize Mary in the dress Anna wore, waiting to be married to James, if only things had turned out differently.
He realized what a terrible day this must have been for Mary. Knowing all her dreams had been taken from her, with every second of the clock being a reminder of what she lost this day. He knew she’d be crying many tears for days.
Thomas knew James was happy with Susannah, as he should be. But what would James feel if he knew the truth. Thomas knew, as Mary did, that James would never leave Susannah, nor should he. James loved Susannah as he had once loved Mary, maybe more now, since she was carrying his child.
Mary would have to handle this tragic ending of her fairy tale romance alone. But if James had known what his father had done, Thomas knew he would have found Mary, come hell or high water, and beg for forgiveness. James, too, would then bear the pain of her sorrow. For that reason, James must never find out, one broken soul was enough.
“Is something wrong, Thomas? Why aren’t you below sleeping with Anna?”
Thomas jumped, he hadn’t noticed James approaching. He smiled broadly, for he didn’t dare let on what turmoil stirred within him. “Everything’s perfect. I wasn’t able to fall asleep, so I thought a little night air might help me relax. The wedding was grand, was it not, James?”
“Aye, it was. Now go below and lay with that beautiful wife before she stirs and thinks the worst–- that you might have had second thoughts or worse, she hadn’t pleased you!”
Thomas grinned outwardly and only nodded as he headed down for bed; relieved James believed his lie as he hid his sorrow deep within him. But with each lie he told to Anna, James and Susanna, about everything in his life being fine, he fell into a deeper sadness.
Chapter Twenty-One
London
Two days had passed since The Emerald left port. Mary had thrown herself into her work trying to forget her heartbreak. She’d waited for over a year for The Emerald to arrive in London, and now it couldn’t sail away fast enough. During the day she found working had helped her immensely not to think about James. It was the nights she dreaded the most.
The dreams she’d previously held so dear now came vividly to life as she slept. Many times Mary awoke with tears running down her face because she’d remembered all too well the feel of James holding her close or the many passionate kisses that he so freely had given her. She still remembered the wonderful feelings he stirred within her.
In some of her dreams, she was wearing her wedding gown, standing next to him as they said their vows, with the emerald rings sparkling on her hand. When she awoke from these dreams, all the hurt and pain came back to Mary, with a vengeance.
Then the third day came after The Emerald left, when Mary entered her cottage and found herself greeted by her drunken father. She was positive he’d been informed of James having been to London and gone. She assumed he also knew about Thomas. Her father had too many friends not to have found out what had happened while he stayed hidden away.
“Now Mary, let me explain what happened before you start to be unreasonable. I see you’re perturbed.”
Mary could only glare at him. Her anger was flooding out of every pore. She felt only hate for the father she had once loved so dearly.
“What I did, I did for your own good. You’ll thank me for this someday. Parker was never good enough for you! I knew he wasn’t and so did everyone else!”
“You, Bastard! You lied to James in that awful letter you sent! And you had no right to destroy my letters to James and Thomas. I assume you destroyed them, after you read them. You are horrible and despicable! I shall never forgive you! You’re dead to me! Mother would have been appalled at such behavior! As long as I have a breath left in me, I shall curse and despise you!”
“Mary, that’s no way to talk to your father! I’ll not tolerate such behavior! I sent that letter to Parker to ensure he would never bother you again! You should thank me! And don’t bring your mother up! She died and left me to raise you and your ungrateful brother alone.” Henry stammered.
Mary could tell her father was trying to find some way to make his evil plotting to be seen as something he had done for her own good, but she was finished with him. She looked at his beet red face and his trembling hands, his anger quite visible. He was a poor excuse for a man, she thought.
“Well, Father, you will be pleased to know James has married another and his wife is with child. Thomas returned just long enough to find out the truth. You are most fortunate to have been gone while he and James were here. Thomas no longer fears you, Father. Neither do I!
“When I’m able, I’m also leaving England. I’ll sail to America, the country you despise, and take up residency there–-far away from you. You’re an evil man. I want nothing further to do with you. For the time being, I realize I must remain here until I have saved enough money to pay my fare. You’ll not be taking any more of my earnings. You can eat at the pub with the rest of your drunken friends. I shall only do the basic cleaning and laundry in exchange for my keep. Don’t try to speak with me or try to make amends. It’s far too late for that.”
Mary realized all her hate came pouring out at once. She now saw her father for what he was–a weak, dishonest and evil man. Why hadn’t she seen him in that light before? What had her mother ever seen in him? Yet, he hadn’t been like this when her mother was alive. What had happened to him?
She turned angrily away, relieved their confrontation had finally taken place. She went into her bedroom and locked the door. She thought that possibly on this particular night, she might finally get some rest as she cried herself to sleep.
Chapter Twenty-Two
London 1831
Henry realized he’d gone too far. Yet, he couldn’t stop himself. When Thomas and Mary were young, he could easily manipulate them. But as they became older, they hadn’t been as easily convinced to do his bidding. He didn’t understand how or why he had alienated their affection. They’d gotten too self-centered for their own good, in his opinion. This feuding had been entirely their fault.
In the next several months, no matter how hard Henry tried to persuade Mary to understand his reasoning regarding James, she hadn’t given him the time of day. When he spoke, she pretended she wasn’t listening. Yet, he knew she heard his every word.
Almost a year had past and Henry realized Mary still treated him like a piece of dirt. She would pay for her error in not learning to respect him. She should answer him properly and treat him as a loyal father; especially after all he had done for her. She should be falling on her knees with gratitude that he’d saved her from a life of misery.
Henry felt certain Mary would be leaving soon. When
she stated she would be leaving when she saved enough money for her fare, he knew it would take several months to a couple of years. She’d been working extra hours whenever possible.
The hate Mary showed toward him whenever they were together almost engulfed his soul. She was going to pay for her insolent manner. Henry needed to make his own plans. A plan that was very specific to destroy all those who had disobeyed him. A plan he’d put in place quickly, before Mary slipped away.
Ever since Jane had passed, Henry knew his life had spun out of control. He’d tried to get a grip on himself but found he felt better when he was drunk. It occurred to him he’d better change his life style if he was ever to act on his plans for revenge. In his present condition, he’d never be able to complete what needed to be done to fulfill his appetite for getting even. He knew he needed to drink less, get in shape, for only then, could he punish Mary, Thomas and especially Parker, for their acts of defiance and ruining his life.
He knew cutting back on his drinking would not be easy. But Henry found planning revenge was a powerful obsession to become sober, at least most of the time. Thomas and Mary would regret the day they crossed him. Hate had not only made him a stronger person, it had made him think clearly for the first time since Jane died. As clearly as a mad man can, he thought and laughed out of control.
Henry felt others would think he shouldn’t have the feelings of an eye for an eye. He couldn’t help himself. He’d never shared his previous evil deeds with anyone. If they only knew he always got revenge. He always won–-no matter what the cost or how long it took. Soon, Mary, Thomas and Parker would find out how sadistic and evil he could be when he destroys them–and those they love.
